| The Life of Dr. J.R. Miller |
Chapter 2 |
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The work was done by voluntary and paid delegates, under the direction of Field Agents. Each agent had charge of one army corps, and directed the activities of from five to ten or more delegates. General Field Agents supervised the Field Agents. In all 191 delegates were commissioned in 1861; 1,067 in 1862; 1,880 in 1864; and 934 in 1865. Many of these served from four to six weeks only, but a large number were active for much longer terms. The average number at work in 1862 was 48; in 1863, 115; in 1864, 217; in 1865, 310.
The work was supported by gifts of money, clothing, printed matter, food and comforts from all parts of the North. Many gifts came from abroad. The total value of gifts of all kinds administered during the war was more than six million dollars.
A statement made by General Grant concerning the work of the Christian Commission at the final meeting of the representatives in Washington City, February 11, 1866, indicates its great value to the country:
“By the agency of the Commission much suffering has been saved on almost every battle field and in every hospital during the war. No doubt thousands of persons now living attribute their recovery, in great part, to volunteer agencies sent to the field and hospital by the free contributions of our loyal citizens. The United States Sanitary Commission and the United States Christian Commission have been the principal agencies in collecting and distributing these contributions. To them the army feels the same gratitude that the loyal public feel for the services rendered by the army.”
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